5th wheel Adrenalin

[BannonJr]

Hey guys,

Did some searching but nothing came up exactly related to an Adrenalin.

We just drove from Montreal to Michigan to camp infield at the Nascar race. We towed my brothers 19 (or 21?) Aerolite camper and with the STA, the trip was perfect.

With the short bed, the 4 doors and the towing capacity, was so easy to park the trailer and manipulate it in reverse and what not and the fuel mileage I was getting was between 18-22L/100KM despite one fill up in which I'm sure it was bad gas and got close to 30 for that tank. So all in all we're very pleased with the performance and are now in the market for a camper of our own.

As our search continues, we've noticed you can get a lot more bang for your buck with 5th wheel camper, so this leads me to the topic title.

I did some measuring based on a friends camper (over the phone mind you) and depending on the trailer, there shouldn't be an issue with the camper itself smashing into the cab of the truck while turning, so my question is towards more of the frame/plastic bed situation we got.

Does anyone know anything about adding a 5th wheel to an Adrenalin?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Flounder]

I'm completely not helpful, but what was the weight of the trailer and what is your engine type?

 

[BannonJr]

I would say loaded, about 3500-4000, and I have the Adrenalin, 4.6 V8 AWD

 

[Tbars4]

..You should be able to get a fifth wheel set up with your ST...

..If they could do it with a Nissan you can do it to a Sport Trac..

..and a Ranger..(Mazda)..

..Sorry...I could only find small pictures of Sport Tracs with fifth wheels..

 

[BannonJr]

Awesome, thanks a ton, if it gets too complicated, or more trouble than it's worth, looks like we're gonna look for a Jayco Kiwi 23B.

It's only the 2 of us, with the occasional visitor, but visitors more often for drinks than to sleep inside.

Pretty much has all the options we're looking for!

It's about 3200lbs dry, so not far off what I was towing this past weekend.

Man, I love this truck (STA) to travel in, no sore backs, plenty of room, good gas milage..just love it

 

[Tech By Trade]

Check out the Crossroads zinger Z1. We were looking at one this spring, and it was well within the towing capacity of my XLT with the 4.0L. It was a 21ft I do believe. Very nice design.

 

[06bluez]

most 5th weel hitches need two nice parallel frame rails to bolt to, which our 2nd gen ST's dont have due to the IRS... frontiers, rangers, 1st gen ST's have these.

I don't think you will be able to find a hitch that will work with our frame. take a look under the bed and you will see exhaust, rear diff, brake lines, spare tire holder, gas tank filler lines, and other parts in the way.

 

[GreenMando]

most 5th weel hitches need two nice parallel frame rails to bolt to, which our 2nd gen ST's dont have due to the IRS... frontiers, rangers, 1st gen ST's have these.

I don't think you will be able to find a hitch that will work with our frame. take a look under the bed and you will see exhaust, rear diff, brake lines, spare tire holder, gas tank filler lines, and other parts in the way.

The Sport Trac does have a frame, this is why the Sport Trac production was ended when the frame was removed from Explorers.

All that stuff under the frame is not in the way, the fifth wheel plates fit on top not under the frame. You will see all that under a one ton truck as well.

I would not try to mount a fifth wheel in a Sport Trac. A 1995 one ton can be bought cheap.

We had a thread on this a few months ago.

 

[colintrax]

^ the trailer he's looking at is 3,200 lbs. A 1 ton is a little excessive, a 3/4 ton diesel would be my choice but if he likes the ST there's no reason it can't tow it.

Good luck getting a hitch for the 2nd gen ST. Can't image it's gonna be easy to find

 

[Tbars4]

..Check JC Whitney and got-chrome .com for different brands and fifth wheel hitches for the ST..

http://www.jcwhitney.com/fifth-wheel-universal-hitch-by-curt/p2012107.jcwx?filterid=c2335d6554u0j1

http://www.got-chrome.com/c-13-goos...837&CAID=93fc8479-5ac3-4a31-be7d-b6b4b0be9eb8

 

[colintrax]

I'm surprised it was that easy! hhahah

To the OP, just something to consider. Are you gonna sell the truck any time soon? Personally, I wouldn't buy a ST that has a 5th wheel hitch. I'd be scared of what it's been pulling and how much life is left in the trans.

 

[Flounder]

I would say loaded, about 3500-4000, and I have the Adrenalin, 4.6 V8 AWD

Thank you! Folks are considering getting a Keystone Premier 19' lightweight for some cross-country traveling, and my old man has a Gen II STA with the 4.6. The STA looks right at home with a little junk off its trunk.

 

[BannonJr]

Wow thanks guys for all the info

Through all this, I think we've decided to get a tow behind. The #1 reason being that I need to keep a lockable bed.

I'm in racing and we would often use it when we have away races. While we're there I use my truck with my tools, generator...welder...drag everything around the track area and since the camper would be parked , well, not in the pits with me per say, I wanna be sure to have a good locked up secure area.

I think I over looked that when looking for an option on campers.

When the g/f and I talked about it, we looked at our past trips, what we did, where we went and went over the use of the vehicle, plus the camper and we realized that we often had stuff in the truck while the camper is unpinned.

So I guess that solves that for us!

But glad this came about and thanks all for the help!

Now let's see some things you tow with your ST!

 

[JohnnyO]

General info, Ford does not recommend using Rangers or Sport Tracs for 5th wheel towing. In my opinion an equalizing hitch is better than putting all that weight over the rear axle.

 

[grumpyoldgamer]

we have a kiwi 23b and pull it with my 07 st limited with the v-8 it pulls great. your not going to win any races but it dos nicely at 60 to 65 and was getting around 10 MPG according to the computer.